Cricket News Today: MS Dhoni excluded from Annual Central Contract list, Rishabh Pant to miss second ODI and more- 16th January 2020

#3 New Zealand announce T20I squad to face India

Virat Kohli (left) and Kane Williamson (right)

New Zealand announced a 14-member squad to face India in the five-match T20I series beginning January 24. Hamish Bennett, who has played 16 ODIs and one Test for New Zealand earlier, received a surprise call-up due to his impressive showing the domestic T20 league, Super Smash.

With 14 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 7.06, Bennett successfully impressed the chief of selectors Gavin Larsen who praised the pacer for his all-round bowling prowess.

Larsen stated:

"We're delighted to have Hamish back in the fold for what will be a huge series against India."

"Over the past few seasons he's consistently been one of the top domestic white-ball bowlers and we've been impressed how he's been able to evolve his game... We all know he brings good pace and bounce but it's the clever variations he's added that make him such a well-rounded T20 bowler."

New Zealand T20I Squad

Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Tom Bruce (matches 4-5) Colin de Grandhomme (matches 1-3)

The team will face India in all formats starting on Friday January 24th 📅5 x T20Is3 x ODIs2 x Tests📺@skysportnz🎧@radiosportnz📲NZC AppTickets | https://t.co/ZQUpfdCn0k pic.twitter.com/EB1hJEm3aW

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 8, 2020

Full article: Kane Williamson returns as Kiwis announce T20I squad for series against India